The Bold and Beautiful Maharani Gayatri Devi

 

Many of the new generation people might not know about this wonderful woman who taught other women to live their life on their terms. The life of Maharani Gayatri Devi is the stuff that biographers dream of.

Rajmata Gayatri Devi was undoubtedly one of the most modern, independent, and elegant Maharanis of India. She was idolized and admired by women. 

Despite being born into a prosperous family, she used her wealth to help the less fortunate. Despite being a symbol of Indian feudalism, she chose to take part in Indian democracy. That's very inspiring.

She rejected ostracizing women in the country. She didn't only live a life of opulence and comfort that she would have had as the Queen, but she worked for the causes that she cared about as well. The Purdah system practiced by women in Rajasthan was successfully abolished by her.

Despite being born into wealth, she spoke out for the less fortunate and made a difference in her own ways. Rajmata is a symbol of beauty, grace, and defiance that has inspired generations. 

Here are some wonderful facts about Maharani Gayatri Devi.

Maharani Gayatri Devi’s Name Is Mentioned in the Guinness Book of World Record

Maharani Gayatri Devi served as a Member of Parliament from 1962 to 1975. During her first election campaign in 1962, she defeated Congress candidate Shardi Devi by a large margin. Of the 250,272 voters eligible to vote, she received 192,909 votes, while the Congress candidate received 35,217 votes. 

Certainly, this was a historic event in India's history. For winning the election by such a huge margin, her name was also included in the Guinness Book of World Records.

As a result of her victory, President John F. Kennedy referred to her as "the woman with the most staggering majority ever earned in an election." 

Gaytri Devi Was Arrested  During the Emergency of 1975

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imprisoned several people during the Emergency. Opposition leaders, journalists, and others she considered a threat were imprisoned during the Emergency, many under the now-defunct Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA).

Among those targeted by Gandhi was Gaytri Devi.  During the Emergency, Indira Gandhi threw Gayatri Devi into Tihar Jail in 1975. She had to spend about 6 months in jail. She had been charged with failing to declare assets. 

Afterward, she fought for the rights of inmates in filthy prison conditions such as murderers, prostitutes, pickpockets, and pickpockets. 

Gayatri Devi retired from politics after coming out and devoted herself completely to women's empowerment and social welfare.

 Refused to Abide by the Purdah System

Born in 1919, Gayatri Devi was a member of the royal family. Gayatri grew up in luxury as the daughter of Maharaja Jitendra Narayan and Indira Devi, the rulers of Cooch Behar.  She married Man Singh2 ruler of Jaipur becoming his third wife and the Maharani of Jaipur.

Unlike Man Singh's first two wives, she refused to follow the purdah system. Hers was an unconventional choice. Relationships or marriage did not matter to her, and she put her self-respect first. 

Maharani Gayatri Devi Girls’ School

She founded the Gayatri Devi School for Girls in 1943. She started the school with 40 students and an English teacher. Her school became one of the finest in India. Today, it has over 3000 students from all over India.

Married a Man Almost Twice Her Age

Since Gayatri's mother, Indira, refused to accept an arranged marriage in exchange for love, it was evident that she wasn't going to let society dictate her life. She chose to disregard society's expectations and marry a man nearly twice her age for love.

She fell in love with India's most wanted young man, the Maharaja of Jaipur, when she was 12. Sir Sawai Man Singh Bahadur already had two wives. Gayatri didn't resemble the more orthodox Rajput women he knew, and he was enchanted by her charm.

However, they married anyway in May 1940, despite opposition on all sides.

Maharani Gayatri Devi Was Among the Top 10 Most Beautiful Women in the World

The magazine Vogue ranked Gayatri Devi among the world's most beautiful women. Sarees, as well as khaki pants, were carried gracefully and elegantly by her. She was both beautiful and stylish.

According to her,

The style came naturally to her. It's something you are born with. She told that her mother was her role model and icon. When Gayatri Devi was young, she used to watch her mother dress and has learned about style from her.

Love for Polo

Rajmata Gayatri Devi was an accomplished equestrian and an outstanding Polo player. She had been associated with polo ever since childhood, when polo was more than a sport, it was a way of life. 

She played her first polo match in Calcutta in 1933. After this, her ambition was to become a syce. During her later years, she was the chief patron of the Jaipur Riding and Polo Club. 

Her quintessential polo skills were honorably recognized by “Rajmata Gayatri Devi Memorial Cup,” sponsored by Rambagh Palace, Jaipur, and “Maharani Polo Cup,” which is held annually in Argentina.

Her illness left her with paralytic ileus and lung infection, and in 2009, she died in the company of her family. Maharani Gayatri Devi will always be remembered for her bravery and beauty, for her role in changing society for the better.

Written By: Arushi Oberoi
Edited By: Harshdeep Kaur